Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)

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"Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)"
Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love) - Waylon Jennings.jpeg
Single by Waylon Jennings
from the album Ol' Waylon
B-side "Belle of the Ball"
ReleasedApril 11, 1977
RecordedJanuary 1977
Genre Country, outlaw country
Length3:22
Label RCA
Songwriters Bobby Emmons, Chips Moman
Producer Chips Moman
Waylon Jennings singles chronology
"Are You Ready for the Country"
(1977)		"Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)"
(1977)		"The Wurlitzer Prize (I Don't Want to Get Over You)"
(1977)

Lyrics

The song refers to a couple whose position in "high society" has placed strains on their marriage ("this successful life we're livin' got us feudin' like the Hatfields and McCoys") and finances ("four-car garage, and we're still buildin' on"). Jennings suggests that the couple return to "the basics of love" and move to the small town of Luckenbach, Texas.

References in the song include the Hatfields and McCoys, Hank Williams, Mickey Newbury, Jerry Jeff Walker, and "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain". [1] The final refrain of the song features a guest vocal by Willie Nelson. [2]

History

The song was co-written by Chips Moman and Bobby Emmons who proposed the song to Jennings because his "name's in it." At the time of recording the song, neither the writers nor Jennings had ever been to Luckenbach. In his autobiography, Jennings wrote, "I knew it was a hit song, even though I didn't like it, and still don't." [3] Jennings stated that he disliked the song because it required him to sing his own name in the third-person, and because he felt it was too similar to Danny O'Keefe's Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues . [4]

Reception

Rolling Stone considered the song to be a "myth-making moment" in the history of outlaw country music. [2]

Chart performance

The song debuted on April 16, 1977, reaching #1 on the country charts on May 21, 1977 and stayed there until June 25, 1977.

Weekly charts

Chart (1977)Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100 [5] 25
US Adult Contemporary ( Billboard ) [6] 16
US Hot Country Songs ( Billboard ) [7] 1
Canadian RPM Country Tracks1
Canadian RPM Top Singles46
Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks40

Year-end charts

Chart (1977)Position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard) [8] 1

Cover versions

The song has inspired tourists to visit Luckenbach, Texas. [10]

References

  1. ↑  : www.lyrics.com
  2. 1 2 ""Luckenbach, Texas" at 40: How Waylon Jennings Created an Outlaw Fantasy". Rolling Stone.
  3. ↑ Waylon, Jennings (1996), Waylon: An Autobiography, Kaye, Lenny., Media Books, ISBN   1578152062, OCLC   48983943
  4. ↑ ""I Didn't Like It and Still Don't": Why Waylon Jennings Hated One of His Most Beloved Hits". American Songwriter.
  5. ↑ "Waylon Jennings Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  6. ↑ "Waylon Jennings Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  7. ↑ "Waylon Jennings Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 1977". Billboard. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Cowboy, Baby: Kid Rock's 15 Greatest Country Music Moments". Rolling Stone.
  10. ↑ "Looking for Luckenbach". Garden & Gun.
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